Since May 2006

Archive

Silver Dollar Salute

Silver Dollar Salute

The Silver Dollar Salute

Why do newly commissioned Officers give a Silver Dollar to the recipient of their first salute?

This long standing tradition doesn't seem to be documented in any military publications. It apparently started sometime in the 19th century with the Army. In the mid 19th century a dollar, especially a silver dollar was worth much more than it is today.

It is said that you have to buy your first salute and then earn every salute there after through your performance and by gaining the respect of your subordinates. The Navy adopted the tradition some time prior to WW II and today the tradition is considered a way to show respect for those superior enlisted personnel who helped you achieve your commissioned status. We don't know how precise this theory is, but this is what we tell those who ask.

USCG News

DISCLAIMER: These domain is owned and operated by MilitaryWives.com, Incorporated, a privately owned and operated Washington state corporation. Our officers, our Board of Directors, our employees and our designated representatives retain the privilege and the right to control access, the right of editting, removing ANY and ALL content placed on this domain (and our sister sites), and the right of removing ANY and or ALL individual accounts that in our sole opinion are disruptive and detrimental to our overall stated purpose of providing support to the military spouse. None of the United States Armed Services (United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard) nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized these products / services / activities.